Naturopathy

The term Naturopathic Doctor and N.D. is reserved exclusively for those who have attended four-year, post-graduate level programs at institutions recognized by the United States Department of Education.  In addition the Naturopathic doctor has to follow the state specific recommendation on prescription. Each state comes up with its own pharmacopeia, that is the list of products the naturopathic doctor can prescribe.

In addition to adhering to the state pharmacopeia, the Naturopathic doctor has to fulfill all continuing education requirements and follow insurance coverage regulations.
 

It is always the responsibility of a patient to do their own research outside of our website to understand their current state's regulations:
Our research has shown that Naturopathic Doctors are currently regulated in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maryland, Minnesota, Kansas, North Dakota, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition the Massachusetts Governor, Charlie Baker, signed The Naturopathic Medicine Bill into law, which means Massachusetts will join this list as of September, 2017.

Efforts to license naturopathic physicians are underway in several states. These include Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. 

Naturopathic physicians also are licensed to practice in these provinces in Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan.

In the states of Oregon, Washington and Arizona, Naturopathic Doctors are covered by Insurance & Medicaid, can prescribe pharmaceutical medications, perform minor surgery and are referred to as Physicians within the state legislation.

In addition, Washington also has an "Every Category of Provider" law, which requires (for insurers regulated by the insurance commissioner's office) that, if a service is covered for one licensed provider type, it must be covered for all licensed provider types. 

Under Section 2706 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, insurers are required to include and reimburse any licensed health care provider, including naturopathic physicians, in health insurance plans. The provision does not affect reimbursement rates. Implementation of Section 2706 varies; while progress is being made, NDs are still seeking full and fair adherence to the provision in most states in which they are licensed.